The Day
Saturday, October 15th. Before even the first night star bowed to dawn’s blush, Sam and Elsie were awake. There was no deviation from the normalcy of AM ritual which both had come to appreciate as a touchstone in their lives, so they forced themselves to stay in bed for almost an hour.
At 10 AM, breakfast, last-minute house polishing and dog duties accomplished, the young folk arrived with the neighborhood dogs. Armed with scoopers, dog bowls, extra food and tennis balls, the canine comrades were led to the back yard while their teenage babysitters performed their hired task of oversight.
10:45. Sam and Elsie left their home by car. Others would take care of the remaining details and make sure all knew the orders of the day. The first stop was to the home of Reverend Donaldson, who had performed Elsie’s first marriage. The man was retired, but still held a strong loving influence with Elsie. The good Reverend gave his blessings to the couple, hugging both and apologizing that he could not make it to the ceremony. His plate, though retired, was full of too many other obligations. He’d be taking off for another wedding that he was officiating at in half an hour.
Their second stop was at the home of Rabbi Seligman, who had likewise performed Sam and Gracie’s ceremony. He, too, was duty bound for the rest of the day, but was most pleased to offer his own blessings to the blessed day of wedlock. The rabbi had a present set aside for the couple. It was one of the biggest candles either had ever seen.
“It’s a tradition in my family. Keep the flame alive in your marriage for the rest of your lives. These candles last a very long time. In fact, I suspect you’ll have to include it in your list of inheritors.”
With some traditional words of blessing in a language Elsie was not familiar with, they ended with the universal language of a loving hug.
01:00. It was time. Sam and Elsie drove to the end of their road and parked in front of the Fletcher residence, the first house on the right. The Fletchers were there, complete with four children in tow, who fell into line behind the wedding couple, as did the Lawson’s on the left, then the Scarsellis, the Lettermans, and so on. Those that wished to were asked to toss birdseed, but keeping to the front of the couple. Elsie didn’t want to be dealing with seeds down her dress.
Neighbors weren’t the only ones lining the street. There were family members, clients, customers, suppliers, friends old and new. As the procession passed, each fell into line at the end.
By pre-arrangement, there was a Sheriff’s car blocking the entry way to the street until the crowd had moved to the other end. Elsie and Sam continued to walk slowly, waving, and doing a whole lot of smiling. After the drive’s bend to the left, no more cars would be parked along the street. When the last attendee passed by that landmark, a barrier was set up to set apart the rest of the street for a wedding/block party.
Almost every home had at least a couple of card tables set up, most with some kind of shade offering (both beach umbrella and ‘easy-up’ varieties) for after-ceremony socialization.
Waiting for the couple was an elderly black gentleman with mutton chops and a gold tooth, not to mention a watch and chain in his vest. He was a Justice of the Peace who had long ago had ceased listening to criminals and lawyers. This was the part of the job he liked the most, so this was his residual part-time occupation.
To this man, Sam and Elsie approached and stopped in front of. They waited as the crowd encircled and quieted down (facilitated by the raised hand of the JP). In his deep voice that carried amazingly well even outdoors, Justice Elijah Markson began to speak.
“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the uniting of this couple, Sam Carney and Elsie Partlow, into the institution of marriage. In our conversations before this ceremony, I was in the most unusual position of learning more from them about the marital journey than they learned from me.
“Like any marriage, like life, like Creation itself, all things have a beginning and an end. Every task, once it is accomplished, is laid aside while he or she awaits their next task, their next adventure, their next opportunity to grow under God’s watchful and loving eye.
“The path each of us takes from cradle to crypt is one, in the final analysis, that we must each face as individuals. Each of us makes the choices of how to fill their God-given life. But that does not mean that we must take that journey alone. For that same God has made us creatures that derive great support and spiritual sustenance with like-minded partners, friends, spouses, mentors, family. Wherever two or more are gathered in His Name, He will be there among them in fellowship, support and guidance.
“Elsie and Sam both know the sadness of farewells that happen too soon, for Raul and Gracie both booked early passage on the train to God’s next step in their spiritual journeys. For these two wonderful people you see before you, though, their earthly journeys continue on for yet a while longer. They have chosen each other to share the wonders of their paths with, to support and applaud, to listen to and give counsel, to love and to cherish, to laugh and cry with, until it is time for this contract as well to see its conclusion.
“But that is not for us to weigh heavily on today. All we have is now, all we had is memory. So let us in loving congregation offer our prayers and acclaim to Sam and Elsie, now and in our future prayers. Let us bear witness that love continues to grow and live on despite the tempests we face, the disappointments, and the grief. Sam and Elsie, today we celebrate your example of love that overcomes adversity, of the holy communion between your two kindred spirits.
“Now, is there anyone here that can present any reason that this couple should not unite in holy-matrimony-none-appearing I will proceed with the ceremony.”
There were chuckles throughout the gathered assembly.
“Do you, Sam Carney and you, Elsie Partlow, accept each other as your beloved spouse and life partner, as the person you will love and support, cherish and accept, work with and for, teach and learn from, so long as you both shall live?”
Together, “We do!”
“Then, by virtue of the power vested in me by the State of Wisconsin, by virtue of the love you two show for the world to see, by virtue of the affirmation of this wondrous throng of supporters, I declare you two as husband and wife. Let the world be put on notice that the world’s newest newlyweds stand before you. Now, I charge all of you to let the Heavens know your approval. Let’s hear it, folks!”
The cry went up not only to the sky, but to the neighborhood as well. All the dogs in the back of Sam and Elsie’s house began to bark and howl. Somehow, that was just perfect.